El-Rufai Tells ICPC Nothing, Dares Agency to ‘See You in Court’ Over ₦210bn Scandal

The “Hell-Rufai” era of Nigerian politics has hit a new, turbulent chapter. Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, currently languishing in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), has officially drawn a battle line, accusing the Federal Government of “political persecution.”

In a series of defiant statements obtained by PREMIUM TIMES, the former governor—who has been in custody since February 19—refused to answer a single question regarding the alleged diversion of state funds and procurement fraud. Instead, he gave investigators a lecture on his life history.

Interrogators at the ICPC confronted El-Rufai with a mountain of evidence linked to a 2024 petition alleging massive mismanagement of loans and illegal project awards during his tenure in Kaduna.

His response? A stone wall.

“I have, on the advice of counsel, decided to exercise my right to silence,” El-Rufai wrote. “I will make no further statement or respond to any question… I will respond only when presented in a court of law.”

Curiously, the former governor used over half of his written statements to detail his biography—listing every school he attended and every job he has held over the last 26 years—while ignoring the criminal allegations entirely.

The drama intensified following a raid on El-Rufai’s residence at 12 Mambilla Street, Asokoro. The ICPC claims the search yielded “sensitive security documents” and electronic magnetic equipment capable of tapping private conversations.

El-Rufai is not viewing this as a legal battle, but a political one. He insists his travails are tied to his role in the African Democratic Congress (ADC), which he describes as the only genuine opposition party left in Nigeria.

He moved his residence to Egypt alongside his aged mother following his exit from office, only to be intercepted at the Abuja airport in what he describes as a botched and “unlawful” arrest attempt.

While the ICPC wants him behind bars, El-Rufai has struck back with a ₦1 billion fundamental rights suit, alleging illegal arrest, detention, and a violation of his privacy.

What’s Next? | Event | Status | | :— | :— | | Arrest Date | February 16 (EFCC) / February 19 (ICPC) | | Legal Action | ₦1bn suit against ICPC for illegal search. | | The Allegation | Diversion of state funds & procurement law violations. | | The Defense | Total silence until a court date is set. |

As the “Accidental Public Servant” remains in custody, the nation watches to see if the ICPC can turn its “sensitive documents” into a courtroom conviction, or if El-Rufai will once again prove to be a master of the political escape.